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Nobody would have guessed that Brock Wright would be the most valuable tight end on the Detroit Lions heading into Week 18 of the NFL season. T.J. Hockenson was primed to be a top-5 fantasy tight end entering the campaign, but he was sent to the Minnesota Vikings at the trade deadline when the Lions looked like they were more interested in planning for next year than playing for this year.
Yet now Detroit could still make its way into the playoffs, and Wright has stepped up to become the team’s top tight end. He is coming off a two-TD game against the Chicago Bears and has three touchdowns over his past three contests. Wright also caught a 51-yard pass in Week 15 versus the New York Jets. He has never been targeted more than he is now and is showing that he can be a playmaker when the ball is put in his hands.
So should you pick up Wright if Week 18 still counts for your standard league or if you want a low-price option at tight end in your DFS contests? Here is my take:
Should I Pick Up Brock Wright For Fantasy Football Week 18?
No, Wright is not someone you should waste a waiver pick on during this final week of the NFL and fantasy football season. While he has shown a nose for the end zone and is playing the best ball of his young career, there are several reasons why it will be hard to count on him in Week 18.
The first is a lack of targets. Wright has only averaged a little over two targets per game over his last seven outings, even though he is on the field for more snaps and does not have Hockenson in his way. At best this week he could see five targets, and there is not a lot a pass catcher can do what that small amount unless he is like Cris Carter and turns everything into touchdowns.
The second issue is tight end teammate Shane Zylstra. Zylstra was barely a blip on the fantasy football radar until he scored three touchdowns on Christmas Eve against Carolina. While he does not get aimed at as often as Wright, he steals tight end time and targets, especially inside the red zone. He has just as good of a chance of scoring a TD this Sunday night as Wright does.
The third problem is quarterback Jared Goff plays like Joe Montana at home and plays like Joey Harrington on the road. Goff has only thrown six of his 29 touchdown passes in road games this season. So Wright will not be getting the best version of Goff in Week 18 since the Lions are at Green Bay.
This all spells fantasy disaster for Wright, and I did not even mention how the Packers' defense has been one of the best in the NFL over the past month. I cannot see spending a waiver pick on Wright when the best-case scenario is he gets you 30 yards and a touchdown, and the odds of that happening are probably 5-to-1. There are better tight ends available on the waiver wire than Wright, so do not hang your fantasy hopes on him during the final weekend of the season.
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